If re-entering the world feels difficult, keep going.

If re-entering the world feels impossible, take small steps.

If re-entering the world feels overwhelming, take a deep breath.

If re-entering the world fills you with dread, you're not alone.

We are rapidly entering into the post-COVID world, and there's not a road map. When the shutdowns began, there were a few answers: work from home, wear masks, stay apart, make sourdough bread. The answers were sometimes contradictory and often inadequate, but it felt like they were available. Now that we are at the end of the pandemic, there's no road map. No one is giving answers. When we look for answers, we have a collective shrug. No one is sure, information is unclear, and all of us have been through a collective trauma that has impacted us from how we interact with others, to how we work, to existential questions of what we want our lives to be.

This level of uncertainty is more than the human brain was designed to handle. The human brain evolved to solve problems of survival that happened quickly. Is there a threat? Can we find food? Is there shelter? Can we mate? Although society has evolved well beyond these basic needs, the human brain hasn't caught up. We simply aren't designed to manage this much uncertainty and confusion.

For many of us, anxiety has crept in. Anxiety has increased by 40% during the pandemic, and the lifting of restrictions doesn't mean the anxiety will go away. We have new problems now. There's economic uncertainty, a housing bubble, and we have all adapted to staying in our homes, in our pods, in our comfortable clothes, and in our current habits.

If re-entering the workplace feels overwhelming, awful, or is creating worry and anxiety, you're not alone. Millions of people have adapted to our new environments. On top of that, we have lost some connections and gained others during the pandemic. We've lost touch with office norms and culture. Spending 16 months working from home changes our habits. It's okay to feel anxiety about being faced with another change. It's okay to feel dread, or even to reconsider your goals in life.

Take small steps. Decide what you will and will not do. Take it slowly. Have grace for yourself. You are human. No matter what your position, you are allowed to be human. Take time to adjust. Make a plan to include time off, time for yourself, time to work on projects you enjoy, time to spend with friends and family.

As we take small steps, and take time for rest and recovery, our brains will naturally adapt to the new normal. As we adapt, we tend to feel less anxious and less overwhelmed. Forgive yourself when you don't hit your goals and try again tomorrow. Remind yourself that there is no right way to re-enter the world after a pandemic. There's no road map. The people who have done this before are long gone. There's no right answer. All you can do is your best.

If you're struggling with post-pandemic anxiety, or you're struggling with the overachievement cycle or to let go of your past, I can help. At True Grit Performance Counseling, I specialize in helping overachievers and perfectionists overcome anxiety, work through past trauma, and learn performance skills to reach their goals. Click on the contact button below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.